Though national and international politics dominated the news even more than usual in 2018, there were many local stories equally important to Tallahassee. And a few times, Tallahassee stories dominated the national news.

Students gather around the fountain on Landis Green on Florida State University’s campus as mix of freezing rain, sleet and light snow hits Tallahassee on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

It was frosty in Tallahassee on a Wednesday morning in January, when it snowed for the first time in the capital city since 1989. Tallahasseans awoke to driveways covered in frigid white blankets, slick sidewalks and frozen bird baths.

Fortunately we didn't need snow plows, but it did give us a small taste of what our friends up north encounter all winter long.

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Hopes were high when FSU hired Willie Taggart to replace Jimbo Fisher as head coach of the Florida State Seminoles. But Taggart could hardly have imagined a worse introduction to Tallahassee, bringing FSU to its first losing season in more than four decades.

It started with the first game and never really got any better. The fans, who had been cheering for the national champions only five years before, weren't at all happy.

Taggart himself summed it up after the final loss to the Florida Gators, which ended FSU's 36-year bowl streak.

Marjory Stoneman High School students Erica Feldman, left, Amanda Cohen, middle, and Emma Gonzlez, right share a laugh together at the Road to Change rally in Kleman Plaza on Saturday. Andrew Salinero/Democrat

Tallahassee residents rallied alongside students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at Kleman Plaza on Saturday as part of the Road to Change campaign being held by the Never Again MSD organization. The campaign pushes for tougher gun control while registering younger people to vote. Andrew Salinero/Democrat

Tallahassee residents rallied alongside students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at Kleman Plaza on Saturday as part of the Road to Change campaign being held by the Never Again MSD organization. The campaign pushes for tougher gun control while registering younger people to vote. Andrew Salinero/Democrat

Tallahassee residents rallied alongside students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at Kleman Plaza on Saturday as part of the Road to Change campaign being held by the Never Again MSD organization. The campaign pushes for tougher gun control while registering younger people to vote. Andrew Salinero/Democrat

After a shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland killed 17 students and staff members and wounded 17 more, thousands of people descended on Florida's Capitol in what became a national movement to demand gun control.

Through their grief and fury, the survivors of the Parkland shooting led one of the biggest rallies Tallahassee has seen in recent memory. Students from other high schools and colleges, parents, teachers and supporters joined them — not only to protest, but to lobby state lawmakers for change.

The Legislature passed a bill to raise the minimum age to purchase any firearm to 21, banned bump stocks and put into place several other "common-sense" gun control measures. Rick Scott signed it March 9. The NRA filed a lawsuit the same day, challenging the constitutionality of the new law.

At about 4 p.m. on a Sunday in late June, a fire broke out in the coastal fishing village of Eastpoint, on one side of the St. George Island bridge. It was soon out of control and dangerous; officials declared a mandatory evacuation while fire departments from every neighboring county sent help.

The Lime Rock wildfire destroyed more than three dozen homes and consumed almost a thousand acres of brush and forestland before it was finally contained. About 125 people lost their homes, and many described harrowing near-escapes from the raging blaze.

The final investigation attributed the fire to a prescribed burn in a state wildlife management area.

6. Andrew Gillum wins the Democratic gubernatorial primary

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Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum takes a selfie with Freddie Grooms-McLendon and former city manager Anita Favors as he kicks off his state-wide bus tour with a rally at Kleman Plaza on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, his wife R. Jai and their children are surrounded by local religious leaders for a prayer as he kicks off his state-wide bus tour with a rally at Kleman Plaza on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

Former city manager Anita Favors speaks on behalf of gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum as he kicks off his state-wide bus tour with a rally at Kleman Plaza on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

Former city manager Anita Favors speaks on behalf of gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum as he kicks off his state-wide bus tour with a rally at Kleman Plaza on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum’s daughter Caroline, 4, looks up at her father and local religious leaders as they pray during a rally at Kleman Plaza on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, his wife R. Jai and their children are surrounded by local religious leaders for a prayer as he kicks off his state-wide bus tour with a rally at Kleman Plaza on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, his wife R. Jai and their children are surrounded by local religious leaders for a prayer as he kicks off his state-wide bus tour with a rally at Kleman Plaza on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. Joe Rondone/Democrat

What followed the historic win was a ferocious campaign between two party ideologues and their proxies — including the President of the United States — with Tallahassee firmly wedged in the middle of the national spotlight.

Moderates from both parties bemoaned the lack of a middle ground candidate, and the razor thin victory margin that elected Ron DeSantis was the perfect illustration of a divided Florida.

The recount of 2000 is never far from Florida's mind each Election Day, but it's doubtful anyone expected one city and three statewide races to require recounts in 2018.

But it was so close that the race for Commissioner of Agriculture had to be recounted manually.

After complicated legal and political wrangling, Ron DeSantis became Florida's next governor-to-be, Gov. Rick Scott ousted long-serving Sen. Bill Nelson, and Nikki Fried won the race for Agriculture Commissioner, making her the lone Democrat holding statewide office in Florida.

A machine recount of the City Commission, Seat 3, race left victor Jeremy Matlow unchanged.

4. The Mike Williams murder case comes careening to an end

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Denise Williams listens as Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs gives his rebuttal in closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs displays the mugshot of Denise Williams during his closing arguments in the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider, Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Attorney for Denise Williams, Ethan Way, uses a yard stick to demonstrate how close Brian Winchester was to Mike Williams when he shot him during his closing arguments in the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Kathy Thomas comforts Lindsay Lockhart as she cries as Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs finishes his rebuttal in closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs compares Brian Winchester to Al Capone during his rebuttal in closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs begins his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider, Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider, Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs begins his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider, Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Attorney for Denise Williams Ethan Way listens as Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider, Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider, Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs shows the definition of first degree murder during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider, Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Attorney for Denise Williams Ethan Way gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Denise Williams listens as her attorney Ethan Way gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Attorney for Denise Williams Ethan Way gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

A group of women sitting behind Denise Williams listen as her attorney Ethan Way gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Attorney for Denise Williams Ethan Way gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Kathy Thomas, ex-wife of Brian Winchester, listens as Denise Williams' attorney Ethan Way gives his closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Lindsay Lockhart cries as Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs finishes his rebuttal in closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Denise Williams listens as Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs gives his rebuttal in closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs gives his rebuttal in closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Denise Williams listens as Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs gives his rebuttal in closing arguments during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

Assistant State Attorney Jon Fuchs shows the signature of Denise Williams on the life insurance policy of Mike Williams during the trial of Denise Williams for the murder of her husband Mike Williams at the Leon County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

In 2017, the body of Mike Williams — who had vanished while duck hunting in 2000 and was presumed by some to have drowned and been eaten by alligators — was finally found.

Brian Winchester, his best friend, stunned the community by confessing to the murder. He did it, he said, so he and Mike's wife, Denise Williams, could be together.

Winchester led law enforcement to the body as part of a plea deal that would put him to jail for 20 years for kidnapping, Denise Williams — who he had later married — but leave him unprosecuted for the murder of his friend. Winchester also pointed a finger at Denise Williams as the person who helped plan the crime.

Denise Williams was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact. A jury found her guilty on all counts.

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The FBI investigation that has been casting a shadow over Tallahassee for so long — and who some say cost Andrew Gillum the governorship — finally resulted in its first two indictments. Commissioner Scott Maddox and his close associate Paige Carter-Smith were arrested on 44 counts of racketeering, bribery and fraud, among other crimes.

The indictment alleges Maddox shook down city vendors for bribes, pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for official action. Soon after, Gov. Rick Scott removed Maddox removed from office in accordance with Florida law.

Convictions could result in fines as high as $1 million and sentences of 30 years in prison. Maddox and Carter-Smith have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.

2. The unthinkable happens: a mass shooting in Tallahassee

When a gunman opened fire Nov. 2 at a yoga studio, Tallahassee joined the ranks of U.S. cities that have been home to mass shooting. It's a list no city wants to be on.

The shooter killed two people that night — Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and FSU student Maura Binkley, 21 — and injured five others before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life.

The shooting, which left the city shocked and shaken, seemed to be part of a string of violent events around the country, including a Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that killed 11 and a California bar shooting that left 12 dead.

At Madison's Warehouse, a restaurant located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the restaurant was left in pieces after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

At Madison's Warehouse, a restaurant located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the restaurant was left in pieces after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

At Madison's Warehouse, a restaurant located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the restaurant was left in pieces after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

At Madison's Warehouse, a restaurant located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the restaurant was left in pieces after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

At a vacant business located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the front wall was left as a pile of bricks and wood after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

At a vacant business located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the front wall was left as a pile of bricks and wood after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

At a vacant business located in downtown Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, the front wall was left as a pile of bricks and wood after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

St. Luke's Baptist Church in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, is left with shattered stained glass windows, missing doors and a pile of bricks after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

St. Luke's Baptist Church in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, is left with shattered stained glass windows, missing doors and a pile of bricks after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

St. Luke's Baptist Church in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, is left with shattered stained glass windows, missing doors and a pile of bricks after Hurricane Michael rips through the panhandle. Alicia Devine/Democrat

A reminder of hope shines in the aftermath of a disaster caused by Hurricane Michael in Marianna, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. As many locals stated, they are alive and safe, things can be replaced. Alicia Devine/Democrat

What is there to say about the massive hurricane that swept through the Florida Panhandle in October? Not much that hasn't already been said.

In Tallahassee, there was some damage. Food spoiled due to power outages and a lot of people went through an unpleasant week or so. But our troubles pale in comparison to those of our neighbors in Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Marianna and the rest of the Gulf Coast.

We are grateful it wasn't worse for us, and know the suffering caused by Hurricane Michael will persist long past the end of 2018.